If you are looking for the cheapest chicken breast in the UK, you’ll be wondering which supermarket offers the best deal. From salads and sandwiches to curries and casseroles, chicken is versatile. But with so many options available, how do you know where to get the most bang for your buck?
Here, we compare the prices of chicken breast from different supermarkets and online retailers, based on the cost per kilogram. We will also look at some factors that might affect the quality and taste of chicken breast, such as freshness, origin, welfare standards and additives. Finally, we will give you some tips on how to store and cook chicken breast safely and deliciously. The goal is to highlight the cheapest chicken breast in the UK in 2023, so you can save on your weekly shop.
Where Can I Buy the Cheapest Chicken Breast in the UK?
The price of chicken breast varies depending on the brand, size, weight and type of chicken. For example, organic, free-range and corn-fed chicken tend to be more expensive than conventional chicken, but they may also have more flavour and nutritional benefits. Similarly, fresh chicken is usually pricier than frozen chicken, but it may have a better texture and shelf life.
To make a fair comparison, we will focus on fresh chicken breast fillets that are not marinated, breaded or seasoned. We will use the prices from online sources as of June 2023, but bear in mind that they may change over time or differ in store. Here are some of the cheapest options we found:
Iceland Fresh Chicken Breast Fillets
Iceland sells fresh British chicken breast fillets for £3.50 per kilogram, which is one of the lowest prices in the market. The chicken is reared on Red Tractor assured farms and has no added water or salt.
Musclefood Fresh British Chicken Breast Fillets
Muscle Food is an online retailer that specialises in high-protein foods for fitness enthusiasts. They offer fresh British chicken breast fillets for £5.60 per kilogram, which is slightly higher than Iceland but still cheaper than most supermarkets. The chicken is sourced from trusted suppliers and has no added water or salt.
Tesco Fresh Chicken Breast Portions
Tesco offers fresh British chicken breast portions for £6.25 per kilogram, which is comparable to other major supermarkets like Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. The chicken is reared on farms that meet Tesco’s welfare standards and has no added water or salt.
ASDA Tender Chicken Breast Fillets 1kg
This product costs £6.95 per kilo and has 833 reviews from 1 shop. It is sold in a tray with four large breasts that weigh around 250g each.
Tesco British Chicken Breast Portions 650g
This product costs £4.75 per kilo and has 199 reviews from 1 shop. It is sold in a tray with four medium breasts that weigh around 160g each.
Shazans Halal Small Chicken Breast Fillet 450g
This product costs £4.00 per kilo and has 33 reviews from 2 shops. It is sold in a tray with six small breasts that weigh around 75g each.
Musclefood 5kg Chicken Breasts
This product costs £28.00 for 5 kilos and has no reviews online. It is sold online in a vacuum packed bag with around 20 large breasts that weigh around 250g each.
What Factors Impact the Price of Chicken Breast in the UK?
Before opting for the cheapest chicken around, it’s worth knowing what factors play a part in the price. Here are a few things to consider before opting for the cheapest poultry.
The Quality and Welfare
Higher welfare standards usually mean higher prices, but also better taste and texture. Organic and free-range chicken tends to be more expensive than conventional ones, but they also have more flavour and less fat. You can look for labels such as RSPCA Assured, Soil Association or Red Tractor to ensure that the chicken meets certain standards of animal welfare and environmental protection.
While it doesn’t mean the chicken is of worse quality, checking out the reduced section can lead to savings on meat and poultry.
The Size and Weight
Larger and heavier chicken breasts are usually more expensive per kilo, but they also have more meat and less waste. Smaller and lighter chicken breasts are cheaper per kilo, but they might shrink more when cooked and have more bones and skin. You can look for the weight per pack or per breast to compare different products and find the best value for money.
The Packaging and Processing
Some chicken breasts are sold in bulk packs or trays, which can reduce the cost per kilo, but also increase the risk of contamination and spoilage. Some chicken breasts are sold individually wrapped or vacuum packed, which can increase the shelf life and hygiene, but also add to the packaging waste and cost.Chicken breasts are sometimes marinated, seasoned or coated with breadcrumbs or cheese, which can add flavour and convenience, but also increase the salt, fat and calorie content.
How to Save on Chicken Breast
- Compare prices per kilo rather than per pack or per breast to find the best deals.
- Make sure you’re doing your weekly shop at the cheapest supermarket, and save money in the long term.
- SIgn up for supermarket reward schemes to get more out of your money when you’re shopping.
- Check the use by date and storage instructions to avoid wasting food or risking food poisoning.
- Freeze any excess chicken breast that you won’t use within a few days to extend its shelf life.
- Cut or slice larger chicken breasts into smaller pieces to make them cook faster and more evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken breast is cooked through to at least 75°C before eating it.
- Season or marinate your chicken breast with herbs, spices, sauces or dressings to add flavour and moisture.
- Use leftover chicken breast for salads, sandwiches, wraps or soups.